IBE Marathon_™ Grids

Marathon™ IBE Grids have a proven performance and reliability track record in volume production.

Marathon™ Ion Beam Etch Grids are the result of applying advanced principles of ion beam plasma theory to robust thermal-mechanical design. The grids are extremely stable over the operating range and provide excellent matching between grid sets.

Marathon™ IBE grids have the longest life and lowest cost of ownership in the industry. Through careful design and tolerancing, Marathon™ grids perform consistently from beginning to end of life. Highly stable grid-to-grid alignment minimizes grid plate erosion and contamination, providing stable and repeatable IBE processing. Their proven lifespan is two to three times longer than the nearest competitor in high-volume manufacturing.

Plasma-Therm can retrofit Marathon™ grid assemblies to existing legacy IBE sources. Retrofits includes source stabilization upgrades.

Source upgrades with grid retrofits

• Upgrade source mounting rods for improved mechanical stability.
• Upgrade RF coil position fingers for improved RF plasma repeatability.
• Optional single-piece quartz plasma containment vessel eliminates plasma leaks, thereby enhancing uniformity and eliminating extended troubleshooting downtime.

Grid Rebuild Service

• Level 1: Clean and replace hardware as needed. Complete metrology report
• Level 2: Clean and anneal plates, clean re-used hardware. Replace consumable hardware. Complete metrology report.
• Level 3: New grid plates, clean re-used hardware. Replace consumable hardware. Complete metrology report.

Process advantages

• Excellent uniformity
• High Grid-to-Grid repeatability
• High process repeatability wafer to wafer